A new investigation by CNN has revealed that American weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the 2021 US withdrawal are now being used by militant groups in Pakistan, significantly escalating security threats in the region.
According to the report, these weapons were originally supplied to Afghan forces to strengthen their ability to fight insurgents. However, after the collapse of the Afghan government, large stockpiles of arms fell out of official control and entered illicit arms networks.
Thousands of Weapons Unaccounted For
Former head of the US oversight body SIGAR, John Sopko, stated that nearly 300,000 US-supplied weapons remained in Afghanistan at the time of the withdrawal. Many of these were never properly tracked.
CNN reports that some of these weapons have since surfaced in Pakistan’s conflict-hit border regions, raising alarms among security officials.
On an exclusive trip to some of Pakistan’s most dangerous areas, a CNN team was shown hundreds of US-made rifles, machine guns and sniper rifles and stamped on the rifles were the words: “Property of US Govt. Manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina.
Militants Using Advanced US-Made Arms
The report says that banned militant groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) are now using American-made rifles, machine guns, and night-fighting equipment.
Weapons identified include:
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M4 and M16 assault rifles
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M249 light machine guns
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Remington sniper rifles
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Night vision devices
Security officials say these weapons have significantly increased militants’ ability to carry out deadlier and more coordinated attacks, especially during nighttime operations.
Regional Security Concerns Growing
CNN notes that the spread of advanced US weapons is not only a threat to Pakistan but also raises concerns for neighboring countries including China and Iran. Analysts warn that the availability of sophisticated arms has changed the intensity, range, and tactics of militant violence.
Pakistani security forces told CNN they have recovered weapons bearing US military markings from militants during operations in South Waziristan and Balochistan, providing physical evidence of cross-border arms flow.
Counterterrorism Challenges Intensify
The report highlights that access to night vision gear and modern assault rifles has become a major obstacle for counterterrorism forces. Militants equipped with such technology can engage targets from longer distances and operate effectively after dark.
CNN also notes that the United States designated the Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist organization in August 2025, reflecting growing international concern over the group’s expanding operational capacity.
